14 Nanaimo News Bulletin Saturday, February 13, 2009 er rernaee Every winter, Spades in hand, a group - of Maple Sugar Festival volunteers trek up to Mt. Washington, in search of snow. Up early, they set out in a truck and drive as far up as possible, before leaving their vehicle behind to complete the journey on foot. In effect, it takes an entire day to cart snow, one bucket at a time, down the mountainside. But who's counting? Snow is one of the festival’s key ingredients! That's because it is the necessary frosty spread over which warm maple syrup will be poured, to create one of the festival most sought after delicacy. But snow fetching is only one of the many tasks tackled by the festival’s volunteers — this year sponsored by Thrifty Foods. It takes about seven days to set-up the physical space at Beban Park. From transforming the Centennial building into the Maple Sugar Shack, to creating a market area, setting up entertainment tents and installing site- Specific areas, volunteers work tirelessly. But much before the tents are even unpacked, festival organizers and their many volunteers have already spent months planning the event. From booking entertainers, scheduling retailers and presenters, confirming sponsors and liaising with community organizations, no details are overlooked. “Volunteers work in the shadows, and they are the ones who work really hard,” says Nicole Langlois, Executive and Artistic Director of L’Association des Francophones de Nanaimo. A comment Michel Morin, General Manager of the festival’s site and Langlois’ partner, agrees with: “It’s hard to find volunteers for the physical setup of tents, but there is a dedicated group of 12 laborers who return to the festival every year. It’s a tough day’s work for those guys.” And yet, despite the grueling schedule, many Société de développement économique Colombie-Britannique A partner in sustainable development La Société de développement économique (SDE) Colombie-Britannique souhaite longue vie au Festival du Sucre d’Erable de Nanaimo. La c-®. JEN FAIS PARTIE — rr—“—_iO—C—sr—Ss=s—Ss=